In addition to an in-depth discussion on the 2027 budget, Grand Traverse County commissioners will review a proposed 50-year lease with North Sky Raptor Sanctuary at Camp Greilick at their 9am study session today (Wednesday).

In other county news, two state funding allocations are giving a boost to local services – including response efforts at the site of a crashed F-16 near Grawn and $2.9 million to expand dental services for veterans and other underserved groups.

North Sky Lease
A planned partnership between North Sky Raptor Sanctuary and Grand Traverse County is poised to move forward. After county Parks and Recreation commissioners unanimously supported a proposed land lease for North Sky to operate at Camp Greilick at their September 10 meeting, county commissioners will review the agreement today ahead of an approval vote at an upcoming meeting.

The lease “offers exclusive use of space (at Camp Greilick) and non-exclusive use of common areas and shared spaces on property to provide educational, recreational, and wildlife rehabilitation services to the public,” according to County Director of Parks and Facilities John Chase. The lease term is 50 years with one additional renewal term for 50 years, which is consistent with a 99-year lease the Grand Traverse Conservation District has with the county for the Boardman River Nature Center, Chase says.

Rent would be set at $1 annually, with an additional revenue share to the county of three percent of North Sky’s admissions. “The revenue share is anticipated to generate $4,000-$5,000 annually to offset park maintenance costs,” Chase says. North Sky has already worked with an architect and engineering firm on site design and has begun community fundraising, with Chase citing “very positive” reception to the plans.

North Sky will be responsible for construction, zoning compliance, maintenance, and operational costs. Ownership of the physical structures would be retained by the nonprofit until North Sky vacates, when it would revert to the county. “To protect North Sky's significant infrastructure investment, North Sky would be granted a right of first offer should the county ever choose to sell the property,” Chase notes. Construction is planned across 2027 and 2028, with public operations slated to begin in summer 2029.

Funding Allocations
The Grand Traverse County Health Department (GTCHD) is working with the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) and Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) to ensure there are no long-term impacts at the site of a military F-16 fighter jet that crashed near the intersection of County Road 633 and Jeffrey Place by Grawn.

Health Officer Mike Lahey recently gave an update to county commissioners on a $134,145 emerging threats grant awarded by the state “to ensure that GTCHD has the capacity to respond effectively and to address identified concerns in real time” at the site, according to Lahey. The funding has primarily supported environmental health staff being in the field to work with residents and responders on the crash response, Lahey says.

When it comes to testing – such as sampling the soil and surface water to ensure there’s no long-term contamination from the wreckage – GTCHD asked the DOD to lead that effort since it’s a military crash site. Lahey says testing was recently completed, with the DOD working with a local lab. Results are expected back this week.

The plane debris has been removed from the site, EGLE is evaluating any potential wetlands impacts and/or restoration needed, and five nearby homeowners have been allowed to return home, according to Lahey. Their drinking water has been presumed safe since the wells are so deep, but the final step will be ensuring there’s no long-term pollution that could affect the soil or drinking water in the future, Lahey explains. If remediation is needed, GTCHD would collaborate with the DOD on that effort.

In other funding news, a $2.9 million allocation in the state budget originally secured by State Rep. John Roth for Traverse City’s United We Smile dental clinic has been successfully redirected to Northwest Michigan Health Services, Inc. (NMHSI). United Way of Northwest Michigan, which itself ended operations in September after closing its United We Smile dental clinic in January, transferred all its patient records, dental equipment, and supplies to NMHSI.

NMHSI said the $2.9 million infusion will “increase clinic capacity by adding exam rooms and dental operatories, allowing NMHSI to serve more patients and reduce barriers to care across the region.” That includes not only individuals with special needs and other underserved populations but also veterans, a group that was significantly impacted by United We Smile’s closure. Clinic staff estimated in January that more than 300 veterans were on the wait list for dental care.

GT County Veterans Affairs Director Michael Roof says his department initially attempted to secure the $2.9 million allocation with the goal of buying the United We Smile building at Copper Ridge and reopening the clinic, with the VA to also relocate its offices there. However, the funding at least remaining available for local use through NMHSI could be a positive, he says, especially if it covers VA costs for dental care. Veterans who need dental care should contact the VA office since the VA can help cover expenses for eligible patients. Roof says he’s still waiting to hear whether the VA will need to reimburse NMHSI for services or if the state allocation will cover those costs, freeing up VA funding for other needs.

NMHSI CEO Heidi Britton says her organization “is still working with the county VA program to establish the services, the need, and the cost” for veteran care. However, NMSHI does anticipate the new state funding “will help address the waitlist of veterans seeking dental services,” says Patient Engagement & Communications Specialist Ashley Banas.